Harris denies all 51 assault charges

Michael Harris

A Kaitaia backpackers' lodge owner accused of drugging and indecently assaulting male guests has pleaded not guilty to all 51 charges against him.

Michael Harris, 56, also opted for a trial by jury rather than by judge alone when he appeared in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday.

Harris was arrested on September 10 after a guest at his Main Street Lodge laid a complaint with Kaitaia police about an incident he alleged took place.

Police seized a camera and computer from his home and made an international appeal for possible victims to come forward, setting up a dedicated email address and 0800 number. They believe a total of 23 guests were victims, mostly European men aged 18-25 who were longer-term guests staying in Harris' residence. It is alleged he sedated them with prescription drugs before photographing and indecently assaulting them.

The charges were denied by Harris and his lawyer, Doug Blaikie, said he was at worst guilty of breaching guests' privacy.

Harris faces 12 charges of stupefying, nine of making and nine of possessing intimate visual recordings, one of attempted aggravated wounding, and 20 of indecent assault. The next court date relating to his case will be on December 2 when police are due to make a Section 31 application for disclosure of evidence.

He is next due in court in person on January 28 for a case review hearing.

Harris is bailed to an Auckland address but Judge Keith de Ridder gave him permission to briefly collect his personal belongings from the lodge yesterday. He was then required to return to Auckland where his bail conditions would continue as before.

Harris' belongings had been packed up and only needed to be picked up. Harris still owns the lodge but is not responsible for its day-to-day management.

Mr Blaikie used yesterday's appearance to take another potshot at police, saying their conduct in the case had "not been desirable".

The charges came as a shock to Kaitaia where the UK-born businessman had won respect for the money and effort he had put into upgrading the lodge since buying it two-and-a-half years earlier.